Myanmar becomes 75th state to ratify Maritime Labour Convention

Myanmar has become the 75th member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC), which sets minimum standards for seafarers working and living on board vessels.

Noting this “significant milestone for the MLC”, the ILO said it was also significant that the instrument had been signed by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar minister for foreign affairs. The ILO also welcomed the backing of the country as “an important labour supplying country for the maritime industry”, and added that “the step will contribute to ensuring protection of the rights of seafarers working on ships flying its flag and greater certainty on standards imposed on ships calling at its ports”.

The MLC now covers more than 90 percent of the world gross tonnage and has near-universal implementation.

Welcoming the achievement of the 75th ratification milestone, the ITF and the International Chamber of Shipping called on those states still to ratify the MLC to do so in the near future.